A&S Resources has developed a plan to create an iron ore corridor from the Central African Republic to the Kribi port in Cameroon. This corridor is designed to transport up to 100 million tons of iron ore annually and is likely to transform maritime trade patterns in the Atlantic Ocean.
Details of the Iron Ore Corridor Project
The iron ore corridor project from the Central African Republic to the Kribi port is emerging as a new trade route and is estimated that if it reaches the desired scale, it could create over 500 billion ton-miles of additional capacity and provide jobs for about 70 to 80 capesize ships. These projections are expected to materialize particularly by the late 2030s.
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This project faces significant risks in terms of financing, construction, and execution, but its potential impact on maritime transport warrants attention. The Kribi port could become a loading hub for iron ore in the Atlantic.
Financing and Execution Challenges
A&S Resources claims to have secured $6 billion in financing from the India Exim Bank, and the China Railway Sixth Group is involved in the infrastructure program of this project. However, credible reports from Cameroon have emphasized that the loan conditions, government guarantees, and even parts of the route and port infrastructure remain unclear.
If this plan succeeds, it would represent a fundamental transformation for the Kribi port. In 2025, this port handled about 12.7 million tons of cargo, and the proposed volumes of iron ore could significantly exceed its current capacity, necessitating additional loading capacities.
A&S Resources also claims that the iron ore reserves in the Central African Republic exceed 20 billion tons, including high-quality iron ore, although experts warn that this estimate is still a corporate estimate and has not been publicly verified. Initial exports from this corridor are unlikely to begin before the early 2030s.
The emergence of a new iron ore corridor in the Atlantic could help reshape capesize trade patterns, which are currently influenced by the Simandou development in Guinea, increasing demand for ton-miles compared to Australian supply.
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